for what he had done.

It can also happen that a newcomer joins their circle of regulars; he may reach one of their seats first and sit there. When the long-standing occupant arrives and sees “his” place taken, one time he will sulk off to the end of the row, casting furtive, resentful glances at the spot, grieving and fuming over the one who has ‘stolen’ it. At other times he cannot hold his tongue; you will hear him say out loud, “Brother, we are not new to this mosque! We have been praying in this very spot for forty years—where is your sense of courtesy?” Reflect on the conduct of these ignoramuses and on a form of worship stuffed with ostentation, self-admiration, and arrogance. Can such people have any trace of awe in their hearts, or taste any fruit of the prayer? Certainly not. How desperately they need a mentor and disciplinarian—Allah’s help is sought.

I add: I once witnessed one of these men—a layman—who would pray only directly behind the imam, not shifting a hair’s breadth to the right or left. If anyone tried to share that place with him, even a scholar, he would glare at him with a look strong enough to make the rival withdraw. Besides falling into the prohibition just mentioned, he also violates the Prophet’s statement, “Let those possessed of understanding and sound judgment stand nearest to me,” recorded by Muslim and others and to be discussed later. Such behavior is among the ugly outcomes of disobeying the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

A man like this truly deserves what Ubayy ibn Kaʿb (may Allah be pleased with him) once did to Qays ibn ʿAbbād. Qays recounted: “I was in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, standing in the front row, when someone tugged me sharply from behind, moved me aside, and took my place. By Allah, I could scarcely focus on my prayer. When the prayer ended I saw that it was Ubayy ibn Kaʿb. He said, ‘Young man, may Allah not harm you, but this is a covenant the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made with us, that we should stand closest to him…’” —and the narration continues.